FILE. Former Kamloops Blazer and Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla.
Image Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
February 06, 2021 - 1:00 PM
Former NHL star Jarome Iginla is moving to Kelowna this year to become the head coach of the U15 Prep Team for 2021-22 season.
The RINK Hockey Academy made the announcement Feb. 5, noting that his role will begin immediately with the organization to allow ample time for scouting, recruiting, and building out his roster for the upcoming season.
“Jarome is moving to Kelowna from Boston where he has spent the past four years coaching his two sons through minor hockey and enjoying retirement,” the RINK release reads.
“RHA Kelowna is thrilled to be adding a coach who has a proven track record of success in coaching teams and players at the U15 level as well as years of professional playing experience in the NHL.”
He will also be helping out with the U18 Prep team throughout the season.
Iginla is no stranger to the area. He spent the majority of his time during the summers throughout his playing days in the Central Okanagan. For the last four years, however, he’s been coaching his sons, Tij and Joe’s respective minor hockey teams, in Boston Massachusetts and most recently helped bring the 2006 Boston Jr. Eagles from a 20th ranked team to No. 1 in the nation.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time in retirement getting to coach our boys and their teams in competitive hockey out in Boston,” said Iginla in the press release.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to Canada and having the opportunity to continue to work with the kids, helping them to get better, work towards their goals, and continuing to develop a passion for the game.”
As teams head into the second half of the year, RHA Kelowna begins its scouting and recruiting heading into the 2021-22 season.
“I’m excited to be joining the organization as they have made some great additions to an already strong program,” Iginla said.
“To me, it gives young hockey players that are committed to working hard and competing for every chance to excel and enjoy the game.”
Glen Naka, Director of Hockey Operations at RHA Kelowna said Iginla will make an ideal addition.
“Jarome will bring invaluable experience to our organization from both a coaching perspective of similarly aged teams and a player perspective from the NHL which is almost every student-athletes end goal,” Naka said.
The RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna, formerly the POE Hockey Academy, is a world-class hockey experience focused on developing 360-degree student athletes through training, coaching, programs, and resources.
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